Potential Chelsea target Bruno Guimarães confirms ‘proposals’, but focused on Athletico

Midfielder Bruno Guimarães, currently playing in Brazil for Athletico Paranaense, has recently gotten a lot of attention from several European clubs, including Chelsea. Unsurprisingly, the 21-year-old is quite happy with the interest from abroad, but he’s focused on his current assignments — a standard response, to be sure — though he does confirm that there have been “proposals” that he’s letting his agents handle.

“Look, I am very happy. Proposals and surveys have taken place. But I leave everything with my agents, I don’t even like to know [about them]. I’m very focused here on Athletico, I want to be an idol here. I have a great affection for the fans, the fans also have a great affection for me.”

“As my goals for now, I see making history here at Athletico next. Make history at the national team, I am at an age where I can get selected to play the Olympics. I’m thinking about it. I leave Europe with my agents.”

Bruno is not exactly a known quantity around world football just yet, but if his self-assessment is correct, that may not be the case for too long. A modern, versatile midfielder who can do almost everything from defence to attack, while also contributing directly with goals and assists will always be in high demand.

“I think I’ve always been a very good passer. [Athletico manager] Tiago always tells me that I know how to position myself very well in the field, I always try to be in the empty space, I always try to be playing to the front, although I also make an excellent ‘shield’.

“I think that’s it. This year Tiago has given me more freedom, he has put [midfielder] Guilherme Camacho there in front of the defence. With that he’s playing me and [midfielder] Lucho González, and we are having more freedom to get in front.

“That’s why I get more goals, more assists, more plays, more chances come. And that’s my football.”

-Bruno Guimarães; source: ESPN Brasil

It remains to be seen whether Bruno is truly a target of Chelsea, or just another player on the club’s extensive scouting and “monitoring” lists. Continuing his good run of form in Copa Libertadores and extending that to the Brazilian League will be imperative for him to stay on Chelsea’s radar, and perhaps trigger a bid if/when the transfer ban is lifted.